Veterans work to restore memorial vandalized during protests

Several veterans got together to restore a memorial on the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square lawn in Texas on Tuesday. 

During Monday night protests, two individuals were arrested after they were seen spray painting the memorial which commemorates residents of Denton County who served their country in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. When local veterans heard about this, they knew they had to do their part to fix it. 

“As a veteran, it comes natural to serve and do the right thing,” wrote Army veteran Chad Finholt, one of five veterans who arrived on their own. 

“We look at that monument and are reminded of our friends and family that served before us and what so many have sacrificed for this country.”

But Finholt was just one of four veterans who arrived on the scene to clean up the mess. Marine Corps veteran Justin Ward, Navy veteran Troy Ivey, and Army veteran Joel Edgar all took it upon themselves to restore the memorial. Danford Statsny from the Denton County Facilities Department also arrived with supplies to help.

“Denton County Commissioners Court appreciates their honoring the monument and the men and women which it represents,” said Precinct 2 Commissioner Ron Marchant. 

The veterans say they will be back tomorrow to check up on the memorial as a precaution.